Your comments about the BBC are not unexpected. Whilst they often have to clear copyright to rebroadcast there is clearly some embarrassment and defensiveness at the damage their predecessors did in destroying so much material. Whilst some BBC7 presenters admit that poorer quality recordings are rescued from the public, or overseas transcription discs, others cover up the source falsely blaming the poor quality on the age.

Are there any other series you are trying to locate apart from Clitheroe?

The BBC contacted me about one year only of the material and were told what was available. That was many months ago and nothing further was heard from them. Clearly they are not desperate to hunt for further missing material and I understand that their archives already has more than sufficient material in need of their tender care. One day someone will clue in to the fact that radio is in fact an incredible part of our Island’s History and I hope that is sooner rather than later.

As to Jim on TV. I can remember being somewhat aghast at how old Jimmy Clitheroe was on screen. Totally ruined my radio image of him but despite that and 50 years on I’d still like to see one again!

My local art shop manager was telling me how he and his wife were eating a meal in Thailand in the middle of the jungle in a small village when over their heads on an old fashioned speaker the shrill tones of the Clitheroe Kid started to play………He’s all there with his Bamboo Shoots!

I also recorded a lot of BBC radio comedy shows (and other things) starting in the early 1970s. At the time people did not realise that thee BBC would destroy the masters! Good quality domestic tape recorders with low economical tape speed options were available from the 1950s and much may still therefore exist, but those who recorded it are doubtless now dying off and may not realise that the originals no longer exist. The BBC’s “Treasure Hunt” is long gone and was badly organised anyway – amongst other things, their telephone line was connected to their sports department for months in error and they only wanted those things which were important, but did not know what might be important!

Amongst other things, I am a recording engineer and notice many faults on the recordings which could be cleaned up. I have no time to do this, but I am sure the BBC could.

Hope you enjoy the others and hopefully we will do another round Britian newspaper hunt in the coming year to see what other episodes may come to light – I’d like to find the TV series too!!

Thanks for all your hard work…especially for providing the links to JC.

My advice: left hand down a bit and steer clear of the coast.

Regards.

Oxy